Leadership titles can seem a little glitzy at times, that is until you find yourself holding a leadership title. The truth is most leadership roles require hard moments that go unseen and unappreciated. It’s in those moments, when you think no one notices, that your true leadership capabilities shine.
I’ll never forget when my first boss Darrell Anderson stooped down to pick up trash at one of our pig shows. He was serving as the CEO of the National Swine Registry at the time — the big chief in command. What on earth was he doing worrying about the trash?
In that moment, when he didn’t think I was watching, I learned one of the most valuable leadership lessons of my life: Take ownership.
Although this wasn’t the first time I saw ownership in action, it was the first time I witnessed it in such contrast. Growing up on a farm, I remember some of my first experiences with “ownership.”
Raising livestock taught me you must work hard to get results and take responsibility for your weaknesses and strengths. I learned how to better support others by elevating the people around me. I also realized ownership requires extra effort that might not be valued at first and sacrifice to give up things you want sometimes.
Who Are You?
We all have opportunities to be owners or participants in this world. As a parent, I hope I’m raising owners who will accept responsibility for their actions, work hard to make the world around them better by going above and beyond, and remain humble, realizing it’s not all about them.
After interviewing Lance Dunbar, our newest barn hero, I couldn’t stop thinking about the topic of ownership. He said something I won’t forget: “For me, the job doesn’t end at 3 p.m. For example, if you have an alarm call, you go verify and make sure the pigs in your building are good, regardless of the time of day or night. I believe it’s important to treat people and the pigs like they are yours. I always manage the business like it’s my money going into it.”
Who wouldn’t want Dunbar leading their team? As director of production for Professional Swine Management, he takes incredible pride in his job. He is invested from beginning to end, whether that’s answering an alarm call or fixing a process that isn’t working right in a barn.
When he’s not at work, he’s serving as a firefighter and first responder. In his mind, it’s all about doing the right thing. For him, that means answering the call to help others in need 24/7. He models ownership at work, in his community and in his family.
He’s learned living a life of ownership creates greater purpose and deeper joy.
I believe we’ve all been put in different places for a reason. What we do with where we’re placed is up to us. Dunbar’s example challenges us to think about ownership in our own lives. It might be picking up trash to leave things better than you found them or working late hours to help a teammate. Don’t doubt the cumulative power of the little things. I’ve seen them add up to make a big difference in the world.
Your Next Read: Lance Dunbar: A Hero by Day and Night
